Drinking toy



Aug. 13, 1957 R. J. L oHR 2,802,301

DRINKING TOY Filed Aug. 12. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR 21mm/vo diom? ATTO EYS United States Patent Op DRINKING TOY Raymond J. Lohr, Erie,Pa., assgnor to Louis Marx & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application August 12, 1953, Serial No. 373,794

11 Claims. (Cl. 46-123) This invention relates to toys, and moreparticularly to a toy simulating a thirsty animal lapping up liquid.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a toy whichsimulates an animal lapping up a liquid. In preferred form the toysimulates a kitten lapping up water or milk from a dish.

The liquid is lapped up by a movable tongue, and in accordance with afurther feature and object of the invention I provide a rather comicaland amusing means to actuate the tongue, preferably by manualmanipulation of the tail of the kitten.

Another object of the invention is to properly position the toy and itsmovable tongue in relation to a body of liquid. This object is fulfilledby making the dish a part of the toy, and securing the simulated animalto the dish, but preferably by means which are relatively inconspicuousand hidden.

Another object of the inventori is to facilitate repeated operation ofthe toy by making it readily possible to return from the animal body tothe dish, all of the liquid previously lapped up from the dish.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and such other objects aswill hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the toy elements, andtheir relation one to another, as are hereinafter more particularlydescribed in the following specication. The specification is accompaniedby drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal section through a toy embodying features of myinvention, with the tongue in outward position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing the tongue in inward position;

Fig. 3 is a section taken approximately in the plane of the line 3-3 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section drawn to enlarged scale to illustrate Vsome detailsof the structure, this section being taken approximately in the plane ofthe line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken approximately in theplane of the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the toy in use; and

Fig. 7 is a similar elevation showing how liquid may be returned fromthe toy body to the dish.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly'to Figs. 6 and 7, thetoy comprises a simulated animal 12, in this case specificallyillustrated as a kitten. The mouth of the animal is open as shown at 14,and includes a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue 16 which is movably mountedat the mouth of the animal, for movement between an outward positionshown, and an inward position not visible in Fig. 6 but described laterin connection with Fig. 2.

The toy further comprises means to move the tongue back and forthrepeatedly between the outward and inward positions in order tocumulatively transfer liquid to the inside of the body in simulation ofan animal lapping up liquid. In the present case this means comprises atail 18 which is itself movably mounted on the 2,802,301 Patented Aug.v13, 1957 ICS body, and additional linkage later described for connectingthe tail to the tongue so that manipulation of the tail, for examplebetween the solid line position 18 and the broken line position 18',actuates the tongue.

The toy further preferably comprises a suitable dish 20 for carrying abody of liquid, typically water or milk. This dish is preferably securedto the animal body 12, but by means which are concealed or at leastinconspicuous in order not to detract from the realism of the toy. Thelapped up liquid is carried within the lower portion of the body 12,which preferably is made water-tight for the purpose. The content may bedischarged or returned to the dish by simply tilting the body upwardlyrelative to the dish, as shown by the change from the position 12 inFig. 6 to the position 12 in Fig. 7.

Considering the structure in greater detail, and referring now to Figs.1 through 5 of the drawing, the body 12 is made of two generally similarhalves with a common dividing plane longitudinally and centrally of thetoy. These are preferably molded out of a suitable plastic, for example,that known commercially as polystyrene, but other suitable moldableplastics may be used. One half may be provided with tiny dowel pinsaround its periphery, and the other with mating holes or pockets 22, andthe two halves are secured together in edge-toedge relation by means ofa suitable cement or solvent, as is already well known in the toy art.The movable parts of the toy are inserted in position before securingthe two halves of the body together. In Figs. l and 2 the meeting edgeshave been cross-hatched, as though cutting apart an already closed toy.

The tongue 16 is molded out of a suitable plastic, and is preferably redin color. It is generally trough-shaped and closed at its forward end,as indicated at Z4, but open at its rear end 26. The side walls of thetrough are projected upwardly as shown at 28 to form bearing ears whichare apertured to receive the transversely bent forward end 30 of a wirelink 32. The tongue is also molded with a depending support arm 34, andthis arm is formed at its lower end with sidewardly projecting trunnions36, best shown in Fig. 4. The trunnions 36 are received in matingbearings formed in the sides of the toy in the lower jaw or chainportion thereof.

From comparison of Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the tongue may beoscillated between the outward position shown in Fig. 1, in which theclosed end 24 of the tongue is lowered enough to enter the body ofliquid, and the inward position shown in Fig. 2, in which the open end26 of the tongue has been tilted downward in order to flow or spill thepicked up liquid into the main lower portion 40 of the toy body. This ispreferably watertight and capable of holding the liquid content.

The tail 18 is molded integrally with an arm 42, and with trunnions 44therebetween. As will be seen in Fig. 3, the trunnions are received inmating bearings formed in the sides of the toy body, and the said sidesare cut away at the tail as shown at 46 to provide clearance formovement of the tail. The rear end of the wire link 32 is benttransversely and passed through a hole in the forward end 0f the leverarm 42, as shown at 48. It will be evident that by oscillating the tailthe tongue is caused to oscillate, in simulation of an animal lapping upliquid.

The dish 20 is preferably molded out of a suitable plastic, and isgenerally circular and shaped like a real dish except that a verylimited portion adjacent the lower part of the animal body is enlarged,as shown at k50 in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The bottom of the dish near theportion 50 is preferably provided with integral studs 5,2 (Figs. 4 and5). The animal is preferably permanently pivotally connected to thedish, and this connection is aided by means of a separately moldedconnector 54. In the Ydrawing it will be seen that the connector 54comprises a base 56 provided with end notches 58 dimensioned to matewith the studs 52. A short upright 60 projects upward from base 56, andat its upper end carries integrally formed cylindrical journals ortrunnions 62 best shown in Fig'. 4. it will be evident in Fig. 4 thatthe sides of the toy are provided with mating bearingsto receive thetrunnions 62, and these bearings are located at the lowermost portion ofthe chin of the toy, where the pivotal connection is inconspicuous. ItVwill also be evident that the sides of the toy may be assembled togetherwith the tongue 16, the tail l, and the connector 54 all placedtherebetween, and that subsequently the base 56 of the connector mayitself be secured to the dish 20, as by the use of a cement or solventor the application of heat. The connection is properly located and isstrengthened by the studs 52 previously referred to, which are receivedin the slots 58.

By comparison of Figs. 6 and 7 it will be seen how the toy may be turnedupward relative to the dish, this movement taking place about the axisof the trunnions 62 of the connector. In the raised position shown inFig. 7 the liquid in the toy body runs back intothe dish. This will beevident on inspection of Figs. l and 2, with particular reference to thesloping wall 64 leading to the neck and lower jaw portion of the toy.This sloping wall is not normally visible, because of the simulatedforward paws 66. These are hollow, and open inward in the present toy,in order not to interfere with the molding operation by which the sidesof the toy are molded.

It is believed that the construction and method of assembly of myimproved toy, as well as the operation and method of using the same,will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It will alsobe apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in apreferred form, changes may be made in the structure shown withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, as sought to be defined inthe following claims.

I claim:

l. A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the

said animal having a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue movan animal lappingup liquid, said means comprising a tail movably mounted on the body, andlinkage concealed within said body between said tail and said tongue.

2. A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the said animalhaving a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue movably mounted at the mouth ofthe animal for movement between an outward position with its free enddisposed nearly as low as the base of the toy and thereby adapted forimmersion in a body of liquid, and an inward position with its free endraised and adapted to `iiow picked-up liquid to the interior of theanimal body, and means to move the tongue back and forth repeatedlybetween said outward and inward positions in order to cumulativelytransfer liquid to the inside of the body in simulation of an animallapping up liquid, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, andmeans connecting the animal to the dish in suitable position for thesimulated drinking operation.

3. A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the said animalhaving a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue movably mounted at the mouth ofthe animal for movement between an outward position with its free enddisposed nearly as low as the base of the toy and thereby adapted forimmersion in a body of liquid, and an inward position with its free endraised and adapted to tiow picked-up liquid to the interior of theanimal body, and means to move the tongue back and forth repeatedlybetween said outward and inward positions in order to cumulativelytransfer liquid to the inside of the body in simulation of an animallapping up liquid, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, andmeans connecting the animal to the dish in suitable position for thesimulated drinking operation, the said means being a pivotal connectionsuch that the animal may be tilted upwardly relative to the dish inorder to spill the previously lapped liquid from the body back into thedish.

4. A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the said animalhaving a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue movably mounted at the mouth ofthe animal for movement between an outward position with its free enddisposed nearly as low as the base of the toy and thereby adapted forimmersion in a body of liquid, and an inward position with its free endraised and adapted to flow picked-up liquid to the interior of theanimal body, and means to move the tongue back and forth repeatedlybetween said outward and inward positions in order to cumulativelytransfer liquid to the inside of the body in simulation of an animallapping up liquid, said means comprising a tail movably mounted on thebody, and linkage concealed within said body between said tail and saidtongue, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, and meansconnecting the animal to the dish in suitable position for the simulateddrinking operation.

5. 4A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the said animalhaving a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue movably mounted at the mouth ofthe animal for movement between an outward position with its free enddisposed nearly as low as the base of the toy and thereby adapted forimmersion in a body of liquid, and an inward position with its free endraised and adapted to flow picked-up liquid to the interior of theanimal body, and means to move the tongue back and forth repeatedlybetween said outward and inward positions in order to cumulativelytransfer liquid to the inside of the body in simulation of an animallapping up liquid, said means comprising a tail movably mounted on thebody, and linkage concealed within said body between said tail and saidtongue, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, and meansconnecting the animal to the dish in suitable position for the simulateddrinking operation, the said means being a pivotal connection such thatthe animal may be tilted upwardly relative to the dish in order to spillthe previously lapped liquid from the body back into the dish.

6. A toy simulating an animal, the said animal having a somewhattrough-like tongue closed at its forward end and open at its rear end,means pivotally mounting the tongue in the animal for oscillatorymovement between an outward position in which the forward closed end ofthe tongue is lowered enough to enter a body of liquid, and an inwardposition in which the tongue has been moved rearwardly and tilted withits open rear end downward in order to spill the picked-up liquid intothe body of the toy, and means to oscillate the tongue back and forthrepeatedly between said positions in order to cumulatively transferliquid to the inside of the body in simulation of an animal lapping upliquid, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, and meansconnecting the animal to the dish in suitable position for the tongue toenter the body of liquid in the dish for the simulated drinkingoperation, the said means being a pivotal connection such that theanimal may be tilted upwardly relative to the dish in order to spill thepreviously lapped liquid from the body back into the dish.

7. A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the said animalhaving a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue closed at its forward end and openat its rear end, a support arm depending from said tongue, trunnions atthe lower end of said support arm pivotally mounting the tongue in theanimal for oscillatory movement `between an outward position in whichthe forward closed end of the tongue is lowered enough to enter a bodyof liquid, and an inward position in which the tongue has been movedrearwardly and tilted with its open rear end downward in order to flowthe picked-up liquid into the body of the toy, and means to oscillatethe tongue back and forth repeatedly between said positions in order tocumulatively transfer liquid to the inside of the body in Isimulation ofan animal lapping up liquid, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body ofliquid, and means connecting the chin portion of the animal to the dishin suitable position for the tongue to enter the body of liquid in thedish for the simulated drinking operation.

8. A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the said animalhaving a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue closed at its forward end and openat its rear end, a support `arm depending from said tongue, trunnions atthe lower end of said support arm pivotally mounting the tongue in theanimal for oscillatory movement between an outward position in which theforward closed end of the tongue is lowered enough to enter a body ofliquid, and an inward position in which the tongue has been movedrearwardly and tilted with its open rear end downward in order to ow thepicked-up liquid into the body of the toy, and means to oscillate thetongue back and forth repeatedly between said positions in order tocumulatively transfer liquid to the inside of the body in simulation ofan animal lapping up liquid, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body ofliquid, and means connecting the chin portion of the animal to the dishin suitable position for the tongue to enter the body of liquid in thedish for the simulated drinking operation, the said means being apivotal connection such that the animal may be tilted upwardly relativeto the dish in order to spill the previously lapped liquid from the bodyback into the dish.

9. A toy simulating an animal in drinking posture, the said animalhaving a somewhat ladle-shaped tongue closed at its forward end and openat its rear end, a support arm depending from said tongue, trunnions atthe lower end of said support arm pivotally mounting the tongue in theanimal for oscillatory movement between an outward position in which theforward closed end of the tongue is lowered enough to enter a body ofliquid, and an inward position in which the tongue has been movedrearwardly and tilted with its open rear end downward in order to ow thepicked-up liquid into the body of the toy, and means to oscillate thetongue back and forth repeatedly between said positions in order tocumulatively transfer liquid to the inside of the body in simulation ofan animal lapping up liquid, said means comprising a tail pivotallymounted on the body, and linkage concealed within said body between saidtail and said tongue,

a dish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, and

means connecting the chin portion of the animal to the dish in suitableposition for the tongue to enter the body of liquid in the dish for thesimulated drinking operation.

l0. A toy simulating an animal, the said animal having a somewhattrough-like tongue closed at its forward end and open at its rear end,means pivotally mounting the tongue in the animal for oscillatorymovement between an outward position in which the forward closed end ofthe tongue is lowered enough to enter a body of liquid, and an inwardposition in which the tongue has been moved rearwardly and tilted withits open rear end downward in order to spill the picked-up liquid intothe body of the toy, and means to oscillate the tongue back and forthrepeatedly between said positions in order to cumulatively transferliquid to the inside of the body in simulation of an animal lapping upliquid, a dish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, and meansconnecting the animal to the dish in suitable position for the tongue toenter the body of liquid in the dish for the simulated drinkingoperation.

11. A toy simulating an animal, the said animal having a somewhattrough-like tongue closed at its forward end and open at its rear end,means pivotally mounting the tongue in the animal for oscillatorymovement between an outward position in which-the forward closed end ofthe tongue is lowered enough to enter a body of liquid, and an inwardposition in which the tongue has been moved rearwardly and tilted withits open rear end downward in order to spill the picked-up liquid intothe body of the toy, and means to oscillate the tongue back and forthrepeatedly between said positions in order to cumulatively transferliquid to the inside of the body in simulation of an animal lapping upliquid, said means comprising a tail movably mounted on the body, andlinkage concealed within said body between said tail and said tongue, adish for carrying the aforesaid body of liquid, and means connecting theanimal to the dish in suitable position for the tongue to enter the bodyof liquid in the dish for the simulated drinking operation.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS226,831 Bowen Apr. 27, 1880 255,090 Shepherd et al. Mar. 14, 18822,384,168 Hillery Sept. 4, 1945 2,453,922 Manaster Nov. 16, 19482,526,612 Rudolf Oct. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 537,646 France Mar. 7,1922

